It’s an unfortunate fact that if you spend enough time driving, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually end up in a car accident. If you’re lucky, it will only be a minor fender bender, and no one will get hurt in the process, along with minor damage to your vehicle. In other situations, though, you may find that your vehicle is severely damaged or that someone experiences some significant injuries. No matter the severity of the accident, one person you may want to turn to after an accident is a lawyer. Below, we’ll outline a few situations where it may make sense for you to retain the services of a lawyer after a car accident.
You Were at Fault for the Accident
One of the primary times you’ll want to retain a lawyer is if you were at fault for the accident. If you caused the accident, you could be on the hook for significant penalties, including the repair and medical costs for other parties involved. A good lawyer can help you navigate this situation and help reduce the amount of money that you need to pay.
In addition, a car accident lawyer can help you avoid collateral consequences. According to the law office of Aaron M. Black, DUI lawyers in Phoenix Arizona, “In addition to the penalties a judge could impose after a conviction, you will also face collateral consequences that could negatively impact your life long after your sentence is finished. Essentially, collateral consequences are any legal or regulatory restrictions that prevent people convicted of crimes from accessing a range of rights and services, including employment, housing, business, occupational licensing, etc.” Reduce your liability by working with a good lawyer if you caused a car accident.
Other Involved Parties Don’t Have Insurance
Another key time you’ll want to work with a car accident lawyer is if the other parties involved in the accident don’t have insurance. For example, let’s say someone hits your vehicle from behind, but that person doesn’t have insurance. This would prevent them from paying for your vehicle repairs or any medical costs associated with the accident. If they’re unable to pay, these parties may attempt to avoid paying any compensation despite causing the accident. A car accident lawyer will know how to legally obtain the compensation you fairly deserve, allowing you to pay for medical and car expenses without spending your own money.
You Suffered Injuries from the Accident
If you were unfortunate enough to suffer some injuries during your accident, this means you’ll likely have some medical bills as a result. There could be hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, physical therapy sessions, or special equipment that you now need to pay for. In some cases, other parties involved will dispute these injuries and try to avoid paying for your medical costs. Rather than trying to represent yourself in court, it’s best to retain the services of a good lawyer. They know best how to present your case in front of a judge and ensure that you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Someone Else Suffered Injuries During the Accident
Similarly, if someone else suffered injuries during the accident, you’ll want to make sure you have a good lawyer by your side. Whether this person was in another vehicle, on the side of the road, in your vehicle with you, or somewhere else, you may be on the hook for their medical costs. However, they may try to get more money from you than is necessary for their medical costs. When you work with a car accident lawyer, they’ll help to ensure that you only pay what’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, you could find yourself being forced to pay a lot more in compensation than you’re responsible for.
You Want to Reduce Stress
Finally, you should work with a car accident lawyer if you simply want to remove some stress from the process. A lawyer can handle a lot of the paperwork that comes along with going through a car accident dispute or lawsuit, saving you time and stress. They can also negotiate settlements for you or represent you in court, removing the need for you to learn how to do this yourself. Going through a car accident is stressful enough, so if you want to remove some of this stress, work with someone who has expertise in this area.
We hope that this short guide was able to answer the question of whether or not you need a car accident lawyer. When in doubt, if you’re struggling to get through some part of the process, contact a lawyer for a consultation. They can let you know whether they can assist you and which parts of the process they can handle for you.